Membership

The National LGBT Health Alliance is a member-based organisation – the Alliance provides a national framework supporting members to collaboratively pursue our shared objectives.

Membership of the Alliance is open to organisations (legal entities) and individuals who support our objectives.

Members of the Alliance work together to improve the health and wellbeing of sexuality, sex and gender diverse people by

advocating with one voice on LGBT health needs at a national level

building their own capacity to work with and for LGBT people.

All members have opportunities to contribute to the work of the Alliance in various ways, including new ways that they come up with.

As a member you can, for example

bring your perspective into the development of a national LGBT health agenda, Alliance positions and the lobbying of decision makers
benefit from the national coordination of initiatives
join and initiate national networks around specific topic areas to share knowledge, ideas and resources, and collaborate on programs and activities
join working groups carrying out specific activities, such as writing submissions, organising events, developing resources
raise issues and initiate activities for the Alliance to pursue
receive information about important initiatives relating to LGBT wellbeing via our mailing list
partner with the Alliance and other member organisations to give your projects a national outreach
participate or take the lead in Alliance projects and activities
apply for external funding in partnership with the Alliance or under Alliance auspices
get discounted fees for some Alliance events, e.g. the 2010 National LGBT Health Conference: Health in Difference 7

Download a membership leaflet.

Our Objectives

The National LGBT Health Alliance aims to improve the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and other sexuality, sex and gender diverse people (collectively, LGBT) by

developing a national agenda for LGBT health and wellbeing
advocating with one voice on LGBT health needs at a national level
building political commitment to the support of LGBT health
improving access to national funding for LGBT health projects
sharing information and resources to build capacity in the LGBT health sector
assisting in the identification of social determinants that have health implications for LGBT communities

Our objectives are defined in more detail in the constitution (clause 3.1)

Our Code of Conduct

To achieve its objectives the Alliance relies on the initiative and engagement of its Members working collaboratively and cooperatively on the basis of mutual respect and good will.

We are committed to a high standard of integrity, professionalism, transparency and accountability at all levels of the organisation.

Our Code of Conduct provides a point of reference for acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. It outlines how we conduct our work and how we relate to one another and other stakeholders.

Download the Code of Conduct.

Our Structure

The Alliance is a not-for-profit public company limited by guarantee, incorporated under the Corporations Act.

We are governed by a constitution and a Board of Directors, with a member from each state and territory. Elections for the Board of Directors are held annually.

We have an Executive Director, Gabi Rosenstreich, who represents the Alliance and is responsible for establishing and leading the policy and organisational development of the Alliance, and co-ordinating the operational activities of the organisation. The Executive Director is currently the Alliance's only staff member.

We have a devolved, membership-based structure. Most work is done by the members themselves. The Alliance provides a framework - it is the members who fill it by initiating activities and contributing ideas, knowledge, resources and enthusiasm to work items.

The two main structures we currently have for working together are

Board Working Groups: task-focussed working groups
Networks: topic-specific organic networks of members interested in sharing and discussing ideas, knowledge and resources about a specific topic area

Because our members are located across Australia, most communication is via email and the Alliance website. Some parts of the website are for members only, e.g. the networks.

Find out more about the various roles in the Alliance.

Types of Members, Rights and Fees

All members will have opportunities to contribute to the work of the Alliance in different ways. There are also formal rights associated with the different types of membership.

Class of Membership	Eligibility	Rights	Annual Fee (as of July 2009)
Associated Individual Member (application form)	Supports the objectives of the Alliance At least 18 years of age	to receive notices of and attend general meetings	$25
Full Member (application form)	Supports the objectives of the Alliance A not-for-profit legal entity Core business is promoting the health and wellbeing of LGBT people, OR houses or project where the core business of the project is promoting the health and wellbeing of LGBT people	To receive notices of and attend, be heard and vote at general meetings To nominate and elect directors to the Board from their respective state or territory	Between $25 and $1,500 depending on income (see fee schedule)
Associated Corporate Member (for profit) (application form)	Supports the objectives of the Alliance A for-profit legal entity	to receive notices of and attend general meetings	$500
Associated Corporate Member (not for profit) (application form)	Supports the objectives of the Alliance A not-for-profit legal entity	to receive notices of and attend general meetings	$200

Role of Members

All members are encouraged to participate in the activities of the Alliance. In fact, we rely on each other to do just that. The Alliance is essentially an organisational framework for members to use rather than an organisation providing services to its members. Members themselves ARE the Alliance, filling it with life by initiating activities and contributing ideas, knowledge, resources and enthusiasm to the Alliance’s work items.

While the Alliance raises issues relating to sexual orientation, sex and gender identity generally, it relies on LGBT members speaking for themselves and bringing their perspectives into Alliance discussions and processes. The Alliance aims to assist members to raise their voices, and to connect with each other across the country.

There are many opportunities to participate, for example, you can

contribute to activities driven by the Alliance’s strategic plan and Board initiatives, e.g. by providing feedback on draft documents, contributing to project advisory groups
join working groups carrying out specific activities, such as writing submissions, organising events, developing resources
raise issues and suggest activities to the Board
challenge us with constructive critique and suggestions for improvement
join, initiate and/or moderate national networks around specific topic areas and use them to share your knowledge, ideas and resources, and collaborate on programs and activities
send us information about initiatives relating to LGBT wellbeing for circulation
pass on information that you receive from us through your own distribution networks and your website
partner with the Alliance on projects you are leading that have a national relevance
participate in Alliance events (with discounted fees), e.g. the 2010 National LGBT Health Conference: Health in Difference 7
act as a point of contact with LGBT community members and others for the Alliance, e.g. when we seek to consult widely, are looking for specific ‘experts’, etc.
help us develop relationships with decision-makers
act as a champion for the Alliance and its work, helping to raise its profile and thereby its influence with decision-makers:
- publicise the Alliance, tell people about our good work
- encourage others to become members
- include the words “a proud member of the National LGBT Health Alliance” on your organisations website, stationary and other communications
- link your website to ours and tell us your site address, so we can reciprocate
propose candidates for the Board of Directors and vote in the elections if you are a full member
stand for election as a Director of the Board and contribute to the governance of the Alliance
attend the AGM and contribute to discussions of the Alliance’s strategic direction and governance

The Alliance aspires to be a learning organisation, that grows and develops over time. We welcome members’ suggestions of new ways to participate, make use of and develop the structures that the Alliance provides.

Members can also contribute to the governance of the Alliance, for example by attending the Annual General Meeting, nominating Members of the Board, standing for election themselves and voting for their state/territory representatives (only Full Members can vote).

Terms and Conditions of Membership

All members must support the objectives and values of the Alliance and abide by its constitution, policies and code of conduct
Individual members must be 18 years of age or over. Full Members and Associated Corporate Members (for-profit and not-for-profit) must be legal entities, e.g. incorporated associations or companies
Fees: All members must pay an annual membership fee. It is due on 1 July each year, or in the case of first admission to membership, on the date of first admission to membership. The fee depends on the type of membership, and in the case of full members, on the annual income of the organisation. Please refer to the current fee schedule
Liability: All members are required to guarantee funds in event of a winding up in accordance with clauses 2.2 and 19 of the constitution. The amount is defined in Schedule 2 of the constitution and is equivalent to the annual membership fee
Change of details: Each member must notify the Alliance in writing of any change in name, address, email address, telephone or fax number (or those relevant details of their representative or other contact person if applicable) within one month of the change.

How to Join the Alliance

Firstly decide whether you want to join as a Full Member, an Associated Corporate Member or an Individual Member. Please download and read the Alliance's constitution and code of conduct.

Then download and fully complete the appropriate membership application form: associated corporate member - full member - individual member

Print off the completed form and sign it. In the case of full and associated corporate members, the application form needs to be signed by two authorised representative of the organisation and you will need to name one person as the main contact for your organisation.

Finally, mail or fax the signed form to the Alliance:

National LGBT Health Alliance, PO Box 350, Darlinghurst, NSW 1300. Fax: (02) 92062069

You can expect to hear back from us within two weeks of us receiving your application. We may ask you to provide further information or evidence to support your application. We will send you an invoice for your annual membership fee.

FAQs

If you would like further information, please check out our Membership Frequently Asked Questions.